Khaos
Khaos retracted her wings as she appeared in front of Ashtoreth. A small smile played on her lips as she surveyed the situation in front of her.
"Ashtoreth," she said, simply, knowing that Ashtoreth would know who she was. Whether she was afraid or in awe was irrelevant. Khaos had business to attend to and she needed Ashtoreth as an ally.
"We must talk."
Ashtoreth and CHelsea
"Oh, must we?" Ashtoreth said dryly.
"So, Khaos, what brings you here? Astrid, sit down."
The winged mutant sat back down with a frown, returning her sword to her sheath. Chelsea shuddered and turned her head away from Khaos, unable to look at her directly.
Khaos
Khaos folded her arms across her chest.
"I understand you're trying to locate your Key," she said. "Well, I have a proposal. I'll help you find your Key, and you help me collect those kittens belonging to Nyx."
Ashtoreth
"And why do you want them for, dear one?" Ashtoreth inquired.
"Nyx may be young, but if you take her kittens, she will try her utmost to destroy you. And she may suceed."
Khaos
Khaos smiled slightly.
"Apart, they are just kittens, but together... they wield a power which is uncommonly strong."
She moved a strand of hair from her eyes.
"However, I am not the one who wants them. Erida, or Hate, wishes to use them to open a portal back to Mount Olympus. I am simply giving her help."
Ashtoreth
"How intriguing," Ashtoreth murmured.
She crossed her legs, hand going down to play with Astrid's hair.
"I must think on this. Do you require any refreshment? Entertainment?"
Khaos
"A glass of wine would not go astray," Khaos replied.
She perched herself down on a seat.
"And as for entertainment, I'm sure we could cause some ourselves. It's been ever so long since I played games with the good people of earth... shall we?"
Ashtoresth
"I have had some...prospects, with whom I am playing at the moment," Ashtoreth said almost coyly.
She clapped her hands once and a tall elegant looking man came and served Khaos.
"Do you wish to see?"
Khaos
Khaos nodded and took the wine from the man.
"Show me," she said pleasantly.
Ashtoreth
Ashtoreth nodded briefly and a globe opened in front of Khaos.
"This, is my servant Blakesley. Arrogant little scientist that he is. But useful, for now. He is workig on manufacturing a Null serum. I've tested a sample of it. Very interesting."
A shot of Blakesley flickered over the globe as he drew back, bloody scapel in his hand. A gash was seen across someone's stomach.
Khaos
"Hmmm," Khaos said thoughtfully.
"He does messy work... but satisfactory."
Ashtoreth
"Also, he is working on a type of suppression collar," Ashtoreth said.
"Technology can be useful."
The globe blinked out and a very pregnant looking Mouse appeared.
"She's...important somehow. I have yet to figure out exactly how. Until then, I'm leaving her be."
A wolf padded into the picture and Mouse rubbed its ears, smiling.
Khaos
"Indeed," Khaos said.
"The wolf will cause problems though, I imagine."
Astrid and Ashtoreth
Astrid's wings ruffled in angry remembrance.
"Indeed," Ashtireth said.
"Although, the...boyfriend, I believe is the term, caused mroe trouble. And Greymalkin is sticking his nose in again. Confounded cat."
Khaos
"If you need help, I can summon the other God's."
Khaos gave a wry smile.
"You know I do not like to interfere in most matters."
Ashtoreth
"He's like a fly. It's pinning him down to swat him that's the problem," Ashtoreth said.
"He's travelling with a Seer, who for once seems to be able to See past the veils I put up. Most annoying. And now I can't find either of them."
Nathan's scarred face and haunted eyes showed in the globe, followed by RK's battlescarred visage.
Khaos
"Ah, so the plans to remove the Seer are in action?"
Khaos lifted an eyebrow.
"You've still not found your key, though?"
Ashtoreth, CHelsea and Astrid
"Astrid wants the Seer," Ashtoreth said.
Astrid bared her fangs.
"I'm going to cut out his heart and *eat* it."
Chelsea's shoulders shook slightly.
"No, not yet," Ashtoreth answered Khaos's question.
"He *was* at the school, here."
Xavier's school spun into the globe, view shifting slightly.
"He has been moved. And that starts the search over again. Also, Glorificus's Key was there also."
Khaos
Khaos's lips turned into a smirk.
"Glorificus... we watched her defeat from Olympus, and laughed."
Without flinching, she pulled a feather from her wings and handed it to Ashtoreth.
"Take this for protection. They may use spells and portals."
Ashoreth
"It was rather pitiful to watch," Ashtoreth agreed, taking the feather and putting it away.
"My Key will not be my end."
Khaos
"But then, Glorificus was never the brightest God. Denied entrance to Elysium for as long as I can remember."
Khaos nodded.
"Well, shall we concentrate on finding your Key then?"
Ashtoreth
"I have people watching for her. And things not frail to humanity's errors," Ashtoreth said.
"If you like, we can scry for him. My little Firefly Key."
Khaos
"Glorificus was a fool, and she will be remembered as such. I warned the other God's off giving her a Key, but they refused to listen, and look where it got them."
Khaos shrugged slightly.
"Let us find your little Key. With both of our magicks, he will not stay hidden."
Ashtoreth, Chelsea and Astrid
"Such a pretty boy," Ashtoreth purred.
The scene in the globe spun wildly as she started to search.
Chelsea hid her face in her hands as Astrid watched avidly.
Khaos
Khaos lifted a finger as the globe stopped and zoned in on Tulsa.
"Tricky little Key," she mused.
Ashtoreth and Astrid
"A Hellmouth," Ashtoreth said.
"No wonder then..."
Astrid leaned forward slightly.
"That is where I last met with the Seer."
Khaos
Khaos moved closer again.
"And he has a Slayer watching over him... but even she will fall."
Ashtoreth
"I have met her," Ashtoreth said, shrugging slightly.
"She is not that strong, and she is very proud. Since Glory fell, she no doubt believes all will fall."
Khaos
Khaos nodded.
"I've glimpsed her a few times, but never watched her completely. She's stronger than the last Slayer, but even this will not save her."
Ashtoreth
"And the cats are...working on repairing some damage I have done to the dimensions," Ashtoreth said.
"If their attention is diverted..."
Nyx flicked onto the screen, turning slowly so she appeared to look directly at Khaos.
Khaos
Khaos nodded.
"So we keep causing dimensional rips. Easy."
Ashtoreth
"And Nyx has a new lover, so she will be distracted for a few months, if not more," Ashtoreth said dispargingly.
Nyx smiled and put her arms around Jack's neck, kissing him.
Khaos
"Mmmm, how very helpful for us."
Khaos looked smug.
"So, when shall we retrieve your little Key?"
Ashtoreth
"I have it on very good authority that Mouse, this girl."
The appropriate image flicked onto the screen.
"Will be having her babies on New Year's Day. She is...Claimed by the cats. She is the Slayer's friend. That will cause enough commotion that neither feline nor champion of light will detect the pick up of the Key."
Khaos
Khaos nodded again.
"So New Years Day we strike. Erida will be pleased."
Ashtoreth
"The time is also a gateway," Ashtoreth said.
"Neither quite one year or another..."
Khaos
Khaos smiled.
"That will make things a lot more interesting."
She flicked her head upwards for a second.
"So tell me, what do you intend on doing with your Key?"
Ashtoreth
"Using it to secure power on this planet," Ashtoreth said.
"Then there's a very nice little dimension I've had my eye on for a couple of millenia..."
Khaos
"Hmmm, all planned then."
Khaos leaned back again.
"There are two other children who I saw you had your eyes on. Their parents have very recently crossed into darkness."
Ashtoreth
"Aren't they delightful?"
Ashtoreth smiled predatorily.
"And they would have been *such* a bother otherwise. I had to sacrifice a powerful and loyal servant...but I think I'm pushing into checkmate."
Khaos
"Mmmm," Khaos nodded. "The Fates had fun playing with them, I know. So, shall we collect their children too?"
Ashtoreth
"They're working well on their own," Ashtoreth said.
"Funny, isn't it, this whole business of free will? They're doing what I want, and they don't even know it. Thoughts...do you like werewolves?"
Khaos
"It will not be long before The Fates step in again, nudge them in another direction."
Khaos cocked her head to the side.
"Never thought of them in any way, really. Don't hate them, don't like them."
Ashtoreth
"Mmm...and when they do, I'll just steer them back," Ashtoreth said.
"They have such darkness in them. The reason I ask is that I have two at the moment...well, under eye as it were. Playful little things. Been on a bit of a killing spree lately up in Canada."
Khaos
"They will be easy to manipulate. From what we've seen, they will do anything for each other," Khaos commented.
"Hmmm... werewolves are not on my plan right now, but I do not see how it can hurt to use them."
Ashtoreth
"They are...quite cute," Ashtoreth said.
"And again, they love each other. I do not understand this weakness that is love."
Natalia and Ewan appeared in the globe, both naked as Natalia sat in front of Ewan as he brushed her long blonde hair. Her deeply violet eyes glowed as she dimpled slightly, smiling.
Khaos
Khaos's lip curled up slightly.
"Love, never understood why Aphrodite focused on it, when there was so much destruction elsewhere. However, she caused some destruction herself, with Helen, Menelaus and Paris."
Ashtoreth
"This is true," Ashtoreth agreed.
"And there was the black tom, picking and choosing sides in the middle of it all. Bastet never did keep an eye on her children. I think Nyx has started ten wars all on her own."
Khaos
"Yes, but Glorificus put an end to Bastet."
Khaos shook her head.
"Hera was most displeased."
Ashtoreth
"Actually, I didn't mind Bastet," Ashtoreth said.
"Far less likely to meddle then her daughter is. How do stand events on Olympus?"
Khaos
Khaos thought for a moment.
"Zeus is trying to clean up some of the mess that Glorificus caused, but other than that, all is well. We have not had much of a reason to interfere in the mortals lives as of late."
Ashtoreth
"And you miss it?"
Ashtoreth watched as Natalia dove off the rock the two werewolves had been sitting on into a deep icy pool below. Ewan hung over the edge and watched her, clicking photographs.
Khaos
Khaos nodded.
"Not like the good times, where we started wars because we could. Greece BC, those were good times."
Ashtoreth
"Phoenicia..."
Ashtoreth looked wistful for a moment.
"Pity about nuclear bombs. I don't want to destroy the world. Just play with it."
Khaos
Khaos smiled.
"Yes... pity indeed. Wars like that of Troy, or Greece against Persia... but this new world has it's advatanges too."
Ashtoreth
"Like chainsaws," Ashtoreth said.
"Hmmm..."
The globe spun crazily for a few seconds.
"Perhaps it is time to meddle with ANgelus again. The Powers suffered such a set back the last time he came loose from the soul."
A beautiful blonde woman appeared, then grew fangs and ridges as she tore someone's throat out, a spray of blood coating her face before she fed hungrily.
Khaos
Khaos smiled.
"Angelus is much fun," she said, licking her lips. "He plays nicely. While we're at that, maybe we should bring back William the Bloody."
Ashtoreth
"Yessss..."
Ashtoreth watched the blonde.
"And I think I know just the vampiress to do it. Meet Elizabette Dashwood, one of Angelus's Childer and quite a good little witch."
Khaos
Khaos watched the globe.
"How very extraordinary... and she will do it?"
Ashtoreth
"Once she finds out Darla is gone for good..." Ashtoreth murmured.
The blonde spun in an orgy of violence and death, ripping her way through a nighttime crowd. Her mouth was open in a wild laugh.
"She will return to her Sire. And when he is not as he should be...she will fix it."
Spike flickered onto the screen opposite Elizabette. He held Vortigern in his arms, looking relaxed.
"And when William goes over...so will this one, the Angel. And then the Three will no longer be in effect."
Khaos
"How very convenient."
Khaos nodded.
"Once Angelus is fixed, our young Slayer will have her hands busy with that, leaving your Key mostly unprotected."
Ashtoreth
"Also very true," Ashtoreth said thoughtfully.
"Where is she...San Fransisco. That's not so far from Los Angeles."
A demon came up to the vampiress and whispered in her ear. She frowned, then stalked away.
"And so the pieces are set in motion."
Khaos
"How fun."
Khaos rubbed her arm.
"How much I've missed of this."
Ashtoreth
"More wine?" Ashtoreth suggested.
"It will take a few days for her to reach LA."
The man who had served Khaos before stepped forward again. What was obvious this time was the collar around his neck.
Khaos
"Ah, I see you have a pet," Khaos commented, taking the wine from the man.
"Tell me, what of Angelus's over main Childer? I know Penn is dust, but the fearful mad one. Drusilla?"
Ashtoreth
"I have many pets," Ashtoreth said dismissively as the man withdrew.
"She is human. The Mab did it. Sabre is most discomfited as she battles her soul, her madness and her visions and he must take care of the kittens."
Khaos
"Hmmmm," Khaos hummed thoughtfully.
"Perhaps it is time I called the Pantheon out of retirement... Drusilla was never much help as a demon, and now as a human... most useless even."
Ashtoreth
"Extremely so," Ashtoreth agreed.
"But it is useful to tie up Sabre so. And the Lonely Travellor is pregnant. To a Watcher."
Khaos
"The plot thickens."
Khaos smiled slowly.
"It appears all three have their hands busy, which makes things easier."
Astoreth
"Always," Ashtoreth said.
"And Graymalkin is elsewhere...now we need a hassle to disrupt Olympus and divert their attention."
Khaos
Khaos smiled.
"Oh the Olympian's will not bother us. Some might even aide us."
Ashtoreth and Astrid
"That takes care of that problem then," Ashtoreth said.
"Jehovah is already diverted, with this crisis in Iraq. As is Allah."
"The Aesir will not intefere," Astrid said, fingers raking through Chelsea's hair slowly.
She smiled through bloodstained lips.
"I will have left them in too much confusion, and Odin is old now, and tired."
Khaos
"I'll see that The Fates aide us, and The Furies will not dare to interfere without permission."
Khaos nodded.
"On New Years Day, we strike."
Ashtoreth
"So it will be," Ashtoreth agreed.
"Will you stay here till then? I would be glad to help amuse you. If you wish a pet...just ask."
Khaos
Khaos nodded.
"That would be good of you."
Ashtoreth and Chelsea
"Do you have a preference?" Ashtoreth inquired politely.
"I always try to meet my guests wishes."
Chelsea went very still, turning her head towards Astrid. The winged woman just watched with interest.
Khaos
"Just someone obedient," Khaos replied. "You're very kind. I must tell you, I expect we'll hear from Erida later."
Ashtoreth
Ashtoreth flicked a hand slightly and a young man walked out to Khaos, kneeling at her feet as his long brown hair fell over his face.
"Call it whatever you like," Ashtoreth.
"If it pleases you, you can keep it. Erida must be getting fretful."
Khaos
"Thank you," Khaos said.
"Yes. I'm afraid Erida has not had much fun since the Trojan War. She misses those days."
Ashtoreth
"Yes, she would," Ashtoreth said.
"And this world has so much hate..."
Khaos
Khaos grinned.
"She's probably itching to experience it."
Ashtoreth
"Quite," Ashtoreth said dryly.
Khaos
"Well, I do have some work to do before we settle... there's a small island in the Pacific which has been playing up."
Khaos stood and outstretched her wings.
"I shall see you back here soon."
She turned and left.
Ashtoreth and Astrid
The man followed Khaos docily.
"I want you to set a watch on our esteemed guest..." Ashtoreth murmured to Astrid.
"Consider it done, milady."